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This Ikea Side Table Is Hiding an Air Purifier

Ikea is going full send in the air purifier category these days. Earlier this year, it released the Fornuftig air purifier at a very reasonable $60. Today, Ikea announced the Fornuftig’s sequel, and it’s a worthy follow-up to the first model. The Starkvind is the brand’s first smart air purifier — and it’s disguised as a side table.

Actually, the Ikea Starkvind — in stores later this year — will be available as both a standalone air purifier and a side table, costing $129 and $189 respectively. The air purifier itself comes in black or white, and the side table comes in a light or dark finish.

A big downside to air purifiers is just how ugly they can be. Ikea’s, on the other hand, puts design in the forefront. The standalone Starkvind looks like a Sonos speaker, and the side table looks like…well, a typical Ikea side table.

Ikea’s new smart air purifier is available as a side table or as a standalone machine.

Ikea

Both Starkvind options use a three-filter system — in line with most other air purifiers — that comprises a pre-filter for large debris like dust; a second filter for capturing up to 99.5 percent of smaller airborne particles down to PM2.5 (which is about 30 times smaller than the diameter of human hair, per the Environmental Protection Agency); and a final filter that absorbs odors and harmful gaseous pollutants. Ikea recommends that the Starkvind be used in rooms up to 215 square feet, but it doesn’t advertise a clean-air delivery rate, or CADR, which is how most air purifiers measure air-cleaning effectiveness.

The Starkvind air purifier uses a three-stage filtration system to trap airborne pollutants from dust to harmful gases.

Ikea

Unlike the Fornuftig air purifier, this new device is smart, meaning it can connect to Ikea’s Tradfri smart home hub for remote control and in-depth air quality monitoring. If you’re already integrated with Ikea’s smart home system, you’re set to use Starkvind’s smart capabilities. But those new to the Ikea smart ecosystem, the Tradfri gateway, which gives users remote control, costs an additional $35.

The Starkvind is also perfectly fine being used as a “dumb” air purifier, or sans app connectivity, because of the physical controls. You can choose between five fan speeds or opt for auto mode, which utilizes the built-in air sensor to adjust fan speed based on air quality.

A specific on-sale date for the Starkvind hasn’t been confirmed, but Ikea expects it to hit shelves in October. Pricing for the filters is still unknown, but for comparison, the Fornuftig filter for particles costs $6 and the filter for gases costs $13

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Tyler Chin
Tyler Chin is Gear Patrol’s Associate Staff Writer.

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August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Forget the Speedmaster — The Other Moon Watch Is Having a Big Anniversary

Remember the Bulova Lunar Pilot? You should: It’s the watch we constantly recommend as a less-expensive alternative to the Omega Speedmaster, especially given its serious NASA creds. Bulova timekeepers were part of 46 space missions, including Apollo 15 in 1971 — and it’s that trip to the moon that’s being celebrated by the brand in a cool new limited edition.

Although Omega Speedmasters were officially issued flight equipment on NASA flights, Apollo 15 astronaut Dave Scott took up his own Bulova on the August 1971 lunar mission. When the crystal popped off his Speedy, he strapped on his Bulova, and ended up wearing it on the Moon. He later auctioned off the watch — the only privately owned watch to have been on the Moon, so the story goes — and it hammered for $1,625,000 in 2015. Bulova, in turn, reissued a copy of the watch that same year, naming it the Lunar Pilot.

Courtesy

Now, Bulova’s reissuing a special commemorative edition in honor the 50th anniversary of Apollo 15: The 50th Anniversary Lunar Pilot Limited Edition takes largely the same form as the original, but has been updated with a 45mm grade-5 titanium case and gold-accented pushers, subdials, and bezel. You still get the high-performance quartz movement beating at 262 kHz — though the original from 1971 would’ve had a mechanical movement inside — as well as a blue sapphire crystal, a grey leather NATO, and 50m of water resistance.

The screw-down case back features a cool lunar relief design with an individual serial number, as well as special packaging with a storybook and a commemorative NASA coin. It’s limited to 5,000 pieces at a price of $995 — and is available for pre-order now.

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August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to lose its roof at Pebble Beach with roadster variant

Aston Martin is coming to Monterey Car Week with a new car reveal. The specific model name isn’t explicitly mentioned by Aston, but one look at the “teaser” gives us all the information we might need to suss it out.

The Valkyrie is losing its roof for a new Roadster variant that will join the existing hardtop and racing-only AMR Pro model. You must look rather closely at the roof area of the teaser, but upon inspection, the roof of the Valkyrie shown here is missing. Additionally, the doors have a new design to accommodate the missing roof. Instead of opening via the roof in gullwing fashion, they appear to be scissor doors. Beyond these details, we’re left to guess at the rest. The car looks similar to the standard coupe up front, and the convertible appears to keep the roof scoop, too.

Aston says the wraps will officially be taken off this new model on Thursday, August 12. After being revealed at a private event, the car will be available to see by invitation-only beginning the following day at the Aston Martin Club 1913. All Aston will say about the model so far is that it’s “a new product from the brand which extends the company’s performance credentials a step further.”

In addition to the new Valkyrie, Aston is also bringing the Valhalla supercar to North America for the first time. You can read all about that mid-engine car here, and then go check it out on Pebble Beach’s 18th fairway. If you want one, Aston just made its production run official — only 999 Valhallas will be built over the next two years.

Related video:

August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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How to Properly Do a Bad-Ass Hood Slide

Maybe you already know how to wrestle a wild grizzly bear, chop down a tree with your hands or build a rocket out of duct tape and tin foil. But unless you can slide across the hood of a car, you’re not living your best life. The hood slide is the perfect answer for those times you are in such a hurry you simply can’t be bothered to walk around the front of the car (say, if you’re being chased by a rabid gang hell-bent on beating you senseless, or if you’ve just committed an old-timey heist). You don’t have to be Luke Duke or a Beastie Boy to utilize this move — just follow these easy steps and you’ll be a master it in no time.

Before Conducting Any Hood Slide:

Check to make sure the area is clear
Find a car with as long and flat a hood as possible
Be mindful that the rivets in your jeans and watch or jewelry could scrape the car
Know who owns the car; don’t dent and run, because that’s not cool

Executing the Slide

Make sure you have enough runway to get to the necessary speed to launch your slide.

Place your hand on the base of the A-pillar. Like a pole vaulter, this will be your sturdy base and launch point.

Swing the leg closest to the car over the hood. Make sure your toe doesn’t catch or you’ll face-plant directly above the engine block.

Finish strong with confidence…even if you totally fuck it up.

Like all things, it’s good to practice this a few times, and note that the ability to pull this off is inversely proportional to your alcohol intake — so maybe pull this on the way into the bar, not on the way out.

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August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Porsche offers a glimpse of it futuristic Renndienst electric van concept

Just like Ford with its Mustang Mach-E, the automotive industry likewise recognizes the Taycan from Porsche as a success. So far, the favorable outcome of the German marque’s electrification is leading to even more exciting projects. An EV version of the Macan is already in development, which is why the company is exploring new platforms like the Renndienst.

The company is not exactly the first one out of the gates with an electric van concept. We can recall Volkswagen with its ID. BUZZ and the Canoo MPDV to name a few. Porsche seems to want in on the fun as well. There’s no word if this ride will eventually see a commercial release, but what it teases appears to be exciting, nonetheless.

Instead of focusing on the technical specifications, they seem to be highlighting the cabin. In fact, the press release calls in the “interior of the future.” It’s clear that they intend to give occupants as much legroom as possible.

Judging by the images of the Renndienst, there’s ample seating for up to six people including the driver. The steering column is mounted at the center along with the analog instrument panels. On each side, there are large display panels – presumably the infotainment units of the electric van.

Porsche engineers are also considering haptic buttons instead of mechanical ones. Meanwhile, the driver’s seat can swivel 180 degrees. This allows the Renndienst driver to interact with the passengers while autonomous driving technology takes over during travel.

According to the chief designer of the Renndienst, they will be drawing inspiration from the Taycan. Another notable element is the asymmetrical windows. One side is covered to give occupants some privacy, while the other side provides a wide view of what’s outside.

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Images courtesy of Porsche

August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Carhartt vs. Dickies: Which Double Knee Pants Should You Buy?

Welcome to Head to Head, where we size up two like products with hands-on testing to determine which one you should buy.

No two brands quite dominate the work pant category like Carhartt and Dickies. Seen on everyone from construction workers and farmers to skateboarders and models, you probably know both’s logos quite well. Not only are their products hard-wearing, but the two brands toe the line between work- and streetwear, casting a wide net of supporters on opposite ends of the style spectrum.

On one end lies those that wear Carhartt or Dickies for functional reasons. Both brands sell durable, damn tough tops and bottoms (plus a few accessories) that people trust, all for a reasonable price. In the middle, there’s Instagram’s obsession with vintage items from the two companies, especially those with evidence of daily wear in blue-collar workplaces. On the other end, we realize celebrities like Kanye West, new-age designers like Heron Preston, models like Kendall Jenner, and musicians like Rihanna wear them, too. However, they’re doing so for the fashion statement — visual proof they know good stuff when they see it, too.

OK. So, they’re both good? But whose work pants are better? Ask around. You’re destined for a split decision. However, we did the work of comparing the most popular pants from both brands up-close, forming our own consensus based on four criteria, fit, fabric, the finer details, and the price.

Our Pick

Carhartt Double-Front Work Dungaree Pant B01

Courtesy

Double-Front Work Dungaree Pant B01

Carhartt amazon.com

Fit

The fit on Carhartt’s classic Bo1 Pant proves wide through the legs and seat, and they sit just above the waist. Cut with a Loose Original Fit, they’re the widest on the company’s sizing scale, which starts at Straight Original Fit, steps up to Relaxed Fit, and finishes with Loose Original Fit. Know that the clean-out double front patches, tool slots on either side and reinforced rear pockets add material in every direction. Needless to say, the B01 Pant is wide — very, very wide. But that’s in! And if you’re searching for slimmer pants, you shouldn’t be shopping at Carhartt.

However, reviews have noted — and I’ve noticed through ordering my own — that these, no matter how many times you measure yourself, always end up longer than they are supposed to be. Order an inseam down from what you’d usually get: if you’re a 34W by 32L, get a 34W by 30L.

Fabric

The B01 pant is cut from 12-ounce, firm-hand, 100-percent ring-spun cotton duck. What’s firm-hand fabric? It’s what it sounds like: materials that are tougher to the touch. But the descriptor also applies to how apparel drapes. Firm-hand fabrics don’t drape like soft ones (silk or cashmere). Firm-hand means these pants will withstand years of wear, save for extreme circumstances. The top review on Amazon, for example, details how the Double-Front Carhartt Work Pant saved a man’s leg from the sharps edges of a rogue chainsaw. “They are very thick and might just save you a trip to the ER,” BEER_ME_in_CT wrote back in 2016.

Finer Details

While some of Carhartt’s pants are made overseas and imported, the B01 model is made in the U.S. Up close, you’ll spot an assortment of loops and pockets on either side. Ideal for tools, trinkets, and heavy-duty EDC, these work well for the obvious things, too: a phone, your wallet and a ring of keys.

Flush rivets reinforce fabric layers at various points, typically in those stressed most often: where the double fronts are stitched on and where pockets have been placed. The B01 model comes in four colors, Carhartt Brown, Black, Moss and Gravel. Sizing spans 28-58-inch waists and 28-36-inch inseams. Plus, there’s only on logo here: a tiny “C” on the right back pocket.

Price

On both Carhartt’s site and Amazon, the B01 Pant is priced at $50. They’re $55 when you order a 50-inch waist size or bigger.

The Competition

Dickies Loose Fit Double Knee Work Pant

Courtesy

Loose Fit Double Knee Work Pant

Dickies amazon.com

$48.00

$29.99 (38% off)

Fit

As the name implies, Dickies’ Loose Fit Double Work Pants fit loosely. But, they aren’t as exaggerated as their competitor’s — aka Carhartt’s pant. These sit right at the waist with room in the seat and through the thighs but have a much straighter silhouette. Think: skater over construction worker. I’d argue the silhouette of Dickies’ work pant has influenced the form of fashion’s most popular pants more so than Carhartt’s, but the latter’s aesthetics — overt patching on the front and industrial features like tool loops — are more in, if that makes sense.

Most seen as part of school and work uniforms and on skateboarders and mechanics, these are streamlined with less bulk.

Fabric

Dickies’ work pants are stain and wrinkle resistant, save for extreme situations — like leaving them in a ball in your bag for months on end or getting sprayed with paint. Their blended twill construction — 65-percent polyester and 35-percent cotton — isn’t nearly as durable as Carhartt’s cotton duck, but these trade costlier materials for money-saving alternatives. It’s also important to note that these are not moisture-wicking like Dickies’ models with embedded flex.

However, these still have a heavyweight heft, making them something you should, by all means, avoid wearing in the summer months — whenever possible. (And the same goes for Carhartt’s cotton duck, too.) The break-in period is much shorter with this pair, but you definitely get the sense they won’t last as long.

Finer Details

Dickies’ work pants don’t have obvious extra layers where the pants have been reinforced. The double knee is constructed from two layers of the twill fabric seamed together. As such, for people putting these to use in the workplace, there are are not slots for knee pads.

At the waist, there’s a metal hook and clasp closure; around it, there are thick tunnel loops for a belt; on the back, there are two pockets, both welted but only one has a button; down the side, there’s a multi-use welt pocket big enough for small tools or utensils. Two logos are situated on both the front and side of the right leg, above the double knee and below the welted pocket.

Price

Typically $48, you can usually find Dickies’ Loose Fit Double Knee Work Pant for nearly 40-percent off on Amazon. (They’re $30 right now.)

Verdict

Considering both two pairs theoretically cost the same, Carhartt takes the crown. For sub-$50, they’re durable bottoms made in the US with sensible reinforcements, a classic workwear aesthetic, and all of the finer details someone relying on these in real-life work scenarios needs. For those of us donning them for their look, they only get better as they get dirtier. Go do something outside. Spill on ’em. Then, when you’re done with them, sell the used pair above retail — with the right wear, someone will happily pay that price.

August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Bugatti’s global dealer network

A Bugatti customer just doesn’t walk onto a dealer lot and gets one of the cars from the showroom floor, or from the stock hiding away in some dark warehouse, each Bugatti is a unique car, bespoke-built for that client with the exact options he or she selected from a vast list of possibilities, someone in the market for a new million-dollar hypercar built in Molsheim, France wants to taste a special experience, usually taking days, weeks, or usually even longer to configure the car just the way the future owners wants it.

So a Bugatti dealer isn’t a massive showroom filled with demo cars and tens if not hundreds of salespeople running around trying to make that sale so they get their commission, each of the 34 officially approved Bugatti dealerships around the world have their specific brand manager, a full-time job whose sole purpose is to bring the unique Molsheim Experience into the world and deliver the ultimate in luxury, design, and technology to both existing and potential customers.

Back when the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 was unveiled in 2005 as the revival of the famous French make, it wasn’t easy to bring this new super sports car to the public, Bugatti didn’t have any dealers yet, buying a 1,000 PS car with 16 cylinders that could do over 400 km/h from a make that was dormant for decades after the EB110 production was halted might not have been too enticing for those that could actually afford this amazing car, it took them six years to put together some kind of network.

If you were in the market for a new Bugatti Veyron in 2011, you could turn to official dealers in North America, the Middle East, and Asia, but neither of them actually had a demo car for you to experience, in those days Bugatti would fly out a driver with a Veyron to your location to test drive, a very costly situation, each Bugatti was sold straight from the factory. The same would happen if you already owned a Bugatti Veyron and something went wrong, you would get a “Flying Doctor” to come to you to resolve the issue, after which they would take the airplane and fly to the next customer … this way of working could no longer be sustained.

Markus Vögele Head of Dealer Network and Business Development for Bugatti

In 2012 Bugatti attracted Markus Vögele, having a decade of experience at the Porsche Group, working in CRM, dealership/product marketing, and consulting, he became Head of Dealer Network and Business Development, developing a unique dealer network strategy for Bugatti over the next years that would include a global Salesforce CRM cloud solution that would emerge any potential client in the Molsheim Experience, no matter in what part of the world they walk into the Bugatti showroom.

The new Bugatti showroom would become an emotive concept, reflecting the core values and century-old history of this French make, each showroom will have a similar feeling for the customer as they would walk into the lounge at the Molsheim headquarters, with samples of paintwork/carbon and leather patterns, as well as decorative elements to be found inside a new Bugatti Chiron, the lounge will allow clients to contemplate over their options for their future hypercar in all serenity.

There is even a massive display screen in the showroom that will show a 3D render of the Bugatti Chiron you are configuring in real-time, the display is so large it can show the actual car in full size for that complete experience, the customer is virtually immersed into their new car. “The showroom is our flagship to the outside world, customers and fans alike. It is the place where they can meet with Bugatti ‘family members,’” says Vögele.

August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Most Beautiful TVs You Can Buy Are OLEDs. Period.

The most beautiful TVs you can buy are all OLEDs. Period. OLED technology produces darker blacks, superior contrast and more lifelike colors than any LED LCD TV. That said, for years the main strike against buying an OLED TV was that they were wickedly expensive. When LG released the first OLED TV back in 2013, it was a 55″ model that cost roughly $15,000.

In 2021. the prices for OLED TVs are much more reasonable. For example, you can buy a 55-inch OLED TV for well-under $2,000. Yes, they’re still expensive, especially when you can get a similarly sized 4K LCD TV for well-under a grand. But if gorgeous picture quality is your jam, it’s really OLED or bust.

The next thing to know is that all the major manufacturers that sell OLED displays source the technology from one company: LG. That’s right, LG makes the OLED displays for Sony and Vizio, as well as LG-branded OLED TVs. So don’t worry about the quality of the OLED slipping from brand to brand.

Instead, you can focus on the same factors you would with older TV technology: size, thinness, pixel resolution, speaker quality and general aesthetics, as well as newer concerns like curvature, processing chips, HDR compatibility and smart functionality. Whatever your priorities, if you’re in market for a new TV, it might finally be worth it for you to spend a little extra on an OLED.

LG C1 OLED (2021)

B&H

$1,496.99

The C1 Series is the next generation of LG’s 2020 CX Series, which had previously been the recommendation for the best OLED TVs that most people should buy. Like its predecessor, the C1 Series boasts excellent picture quality with support for popular HDR technologies, like Dolby Vision and HDR10, as well as Dolby Atmos. The difference is that LG added gaming features to the C1 Series — HDMI 2.1 and a 120Hz refresh rate panel — to optimize them for next-gen consoles. Also, LG added an 83-inch model — the biggest screen size in the line — for people who want the biggest OLED possible.

Sizes: 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″
Price: $1,397 — 5,997

LG CX OLED (2020)

LG CX (2020)

LG Best Buy

$1,899.99

The LG CX Series is still one of the best OLED TVs you can buy, but it’s an older version of the company’s C1 Series and innately not quite as nice. The two lines produce basically the same picture quality and support the same HDR technologies. They both have a 120Hz display panel and have the same number (4x) of HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning they work excellently with next-generation consoles. The main difference is that CX has a slightly older processor and uses a slightly older UI, so it’s not going to run quite as snappy. On the plus side, the CX is a year older and you can often find a better deal on one.

Sizes: 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″
Price: $1,397 — 3,000

LG A1 OLED (2021)

Amazon

$2,199.99

$1,896.99 (14% off)

The A1 Series is LG’s most affordable and entry-level line of OLED TVs — and they’re new to 2021. They’re able to deliver pretty much the same excellent picture quality as the company’s higher-end C1 OLED line, but the big tradeoff is that they aren’t designed for gamers. The A1 Series doesn’t have an HDMI 2.1 connection and doesn’t support the high refresh rates (120Hz) that the next-gen consoles take advantage of.

Sizes: 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″
Price: $1,300 — $3,000

Vizio OLED (2020)

Vizio

Vizio OLED (2020)

Best Buy

$1,299.99

Vizio has long made some of the best budget 4K LED TVs on the market. Its first-ever line of OLED TVs, which the company released near the tail end of 2020, are good all-around options for people shopping on a budget. Available in two sizes – 55″ and 65″ — the TVs get bright, support all the popular HDR technologies and have a specific game mode that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. You can use any soundbar or home theater system, but these TVs do have a specifically designed stand that’s designed to hold Vizio’s Elevate soundbar.

Sizes: 55″, 65″
Price: $1,300 — $1,900

Sony Bravia XR A80J (2021)

Sony

Sony Bravia XR A80J (2021)

Best Buy

$2,299.99

The Sony A80J is, quite simply, one of the best all-around OLED TVs you can buy. It pairs a stunning picture quality (that supports all popular HDR technologies and has a max 120Hz refresh rate) with a premium design and a sound system that’s surprisingly great. Additionally, the Sony A80J runs Google TV’s smart operating system, which is really intuitive, and supports AirPlay and Chromecast for easy streaming for either Android or Apple devices.

Sizes: 55″, 65″

Price: $1,899 — $2,500

Sony Bravia XR A90J (2021)

[product contentProductId=’2c29d2b4-8801-47cc-af60-a9d7163eea58′ mediaId=’58b34938-a709-49d7-96ba-8a13c5c15139′ align=’center’ size=’large’][/product

The Sony A90J is a higher-end version of the Sony A80J. It’s a stunning TV, but it boasts almost the exact same design, capabilities and picture quality as the Sony A80J. If you’re looking to justify the price bump, the Sony A90J has three upgrades over the Sony A80J. It gets slightly better HDR performance (thanks to the addition of Sony’s heatsink technology). Its remote control has motion-activated backlighting to help you see the buttons in the dark. And it comes in a larger 83-inch model.

Sizes: 55″, 65″, 83″

Price: $2,800 — $8,000

Sony A9S (2020)

Sony

Sony A9S (2020)

Amazon

$1,899.99

$1,299.99 (32% off)

The Sony A9S is a solid OLED TV for people looking for a small and relatively affordable option. It’s only available in a 48-inch model, making it good for small rooms. It’s also a good fit for people wanting to try out an OLED TV as a PC monitor. There are a few caveats, however. It supports Dolby Vision HDR but not for HDR10+. It also lacks a newer HDMI 2.1connection, meaning it can only transmit 4K at 60fps (although it can do 1080p at 120Hz), making it not the best fit for next-gen consoles.

Sizes: 48″
Price: 1,500

August 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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Here’s How to Stretch Your New or Vintage Tee

It’s easy to mistakenly buy something in the wrong size, even when you’re shopping for yourself — and especially so when you’re perusing pre-owned items. The reason why is simple: clothes are bigger today than they were 50 years ago. The United States, and thus the brands operating within its borders, did away with its codified size scale in 1983, kickstarting the sizing free-for-all we face today. By virtue of there being no universal sizing scale, what was considered a small pre-1983 is no longer if you adhere to today’s understanding of the size.

But that’s not even the whole issue. Nowadays, no two brands construct clothing with the same sizes in mind. A large at J. Crew, for example, might be a medium at Buck Mason. Are you following? Look at Esquire Magazine’s 2010 piece, “Are Your Pants Lying To You? An Investigation.” In it, a size 36 pant from H&M really had a 36-inch waist. The size 34 pant from Old Navy actually measured out to 39-inches. That’s vanity sizing, “the practice of assigning smaller sizes to articles of manufactured clothing than is really the case,” the Oxford English Dictionary states. Even if you’ve studied up on the intricacies of each company, your mastery of sizes doesn’t translate to vintage clothes. They’re two different languages.

So, if you’re buying new, it’s best to try things on and form your own understanding of the given brand’s label methodology — and maybe you already have. Perhaps you’re here because you accidentally shrunk your shirt in the wash. Way to go. But don’t worry, this fix is for you, too.

For those of you shopping vintage T-shirts, measurements — like “pit to pit,” as Monarch Studios owner Sean Flynn, puts it — are your best guidance. If you’re buying a graphic T-shirt printed on an obscure blank by a now-defunct company, there’s no way of copping two to compare sizes. Hell, the one you’re bidding on could be the last of its kind. So what happens if the T-shirt — or pants, because this method works on them, too, with varying degrees of success depending on the material — you just bought is too small, because it’s labeled a men’s large but is truthfully a tight medium or tagless altogether? You stretch it. Here’s how.

First, buy a bucket.

Get a bucket big enough to fit the T-shirt you’re going to stretch.

Fill the bucket.

Fill the bucket with warm — basically hot — water. Next, pour in a teaspoon of hair conditioner. Don’t stress over buying an expensive iteration. Mix until combined.

Put the T-shirt in the bucket.

Let it sit.

Leave the T-shirt in there for half an hour.

Starting stretching.

Slide your arms inside the shirt as if you were putting it on, but don’t. Stop short of sliding your arms through the armholes. Open your arms, stretching the torso horizontally. Do it gently and without pushing too hard where your hands might be. Just as hangers leave raised marks on the shoulders of shirts, pressing too hard on one spot can leave a permanent peak.

Switch positions.

How I see it, you have two options: pin the neck of the T-shirt under something heavy and gently pull at the hem, starting at the edges and working your way in; or, hold opposite corners of the T-shirt (top left shoulder, bottom right hem) and alternate tugs. The former will work for increasing the length by at least one size, while the latter grants just a little wiggle room.

Let it dry.

Don’t toss your T-shirt in the dryer. That’ll undo all of your hard work. Let it air dry. But, if you can feel or see conditioner still, rinse it out.

Try it on for size.

Once it’s dry, give it a try. But remember: you can really only stretch a T-shirt two sizes — ~four inches pit to pit and ~three inches length-wise. Any further and you’re better off selling it to someone else (who wears that size) instead.

August 1, 2021 / Comments Off

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Who On Earth Wants to Pay a Monthly Fee to Use Their Car’s Built-In Features?

The Gear Patrol Podcast is our weekly roundtable discussion focused on products, their stories, and the culture surrounding them.

This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

In this episode, we begin with a discussion of the all-new, $99 Ear (1) noise-cancelling earbuds by the brand Nothing. Then we pick apart the concept of car companies charging customers subscription fees to activate equipment that’s already installed on their car. Lastly, Airstream and Pottery Barn have collaborated on a very pretty, very expensive 28-foot trailer and we debate its merits.

Show Notes:

Episode Navigation:

02:19 – Nothing Ear (1) ANC Earbuds

16:25 – Subscriptions to Unlock Car Features

32:58 – Airstream x Pottery Barn Special Edition Travel Trailer

Featured:

The Gear Patrol Podcast is our weekly roundtable discussion focused on products, their stories, and the culture surrounding them.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Reach out at podcast@gearpatrol.com.

July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Metallica: The $24.95 Book

Metallica super-fans will be fiending for this one. In it, renowned rock writer Ben Apatoff takes the ultimate deep dive into the dark legend of Metallica, one of rock’s weirdest and most fascinating mysteries. With chapters devoted to each member, each album, touring, fashion, books, film, influences, fandom, history, and more, it takes you to the very core of the world’s most influential metal band.

July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Beoplay EQ Earbuds: True Wireless Adds ANC

Bang & Olufsen is back with another first. Their Beoplay EQ Earbuds are the brand’s first to feature Active Noise Cancelling technology. The flagship buds feature a dedicated ANC chip, while a separate chip handles bluetooth—making for flawless connectivity. Battery life is 6.5 hours with 2 additional full charges from the case. Available August 19.

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July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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This FireCan Burns Where Others Can’t

For all those beaches, parks & places that don’t allow wood-burning campfires, the Ignik FireCan is a portable propane-powered fire pit that gives you a legal, low-emission alternative; that cozy campfire feel without a visit from the ranger. Made of heavy-duty steel, the collapsible “can” carries like an ammo box & features fold-out legs, 360º mesh to manage sparks & a quick-adapter to your fuel tank. Available Fall 2021.

July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Speedland x Michelin SL:PDX Trail Runner

Premium running shoe upstart Speedland partnered with Michelin to create a trail runner that will never get caught slipping. The SL:PDX features a lugged outsole with knobbies & knurls you can cut, modify & customize to your needs. The upper features recycled material & the custom-comfort of dual Boa closure.

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July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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All the Coolest Home and Design Releases We Found in July 2021

Summer’s quickly coming to an end, but you wouldn’t know it from some of the releases from this month. We got a bunch of summer-y food-related items like strawberry vinegar from cult-favorite brand Brightland and a spicy peach honey from an up-and-coming hot sauce brand in South Carolina. Made In’s new oyster shucker has us wishing we could go shuck some oysters every day, and Sipsmith celebrated its partnership with Wimbledon with a strawberry gin using fruit from the London town. If this is what we got in July, we’re excited for everyone’s last hurrah for summer in August.

Feast by Chef Yotam Ottolenghi

loom and forge home supplies in bedroom and bathroom

JC Penney

JCPenney’s latest collection of home goods is a winner. The department store’s new Loom + Forge brand features a bevy of products to furnish the bedroom to the bathroom. The aesthetic of the line mixes contemporary and modern design styles, and if you’re looking to refurnish on a budget, you should check out the brand.

Price: $20+

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Vermicular Oven Pot

Vermicular

Japanese cast-iron cookware brand Vermicular is complementing its cast-iron induction cooker, the Musui–Kamado, with a line of enameled Dutch ovens called the Oven Pot. Available in a five sizes and four colors, the Oven Pot’s standout feature is its super-secure lid, which locks in more moisture than any other Dutch oven on the market, the brand claims.

Price: $120

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Grady’s Cold Brew The Spouch

Grady’s Cold Brew

Since launching in 2011 as a brand of bottled concentrates of New Orleans-style cold brew, Grady’s has since expanded into ready-to-drink and brew-it-yourself iterations. New Orleans-style cold brew, if you’re not familiar, is a cold brew made with coffee, chicory and spices. The brand’s new Spouch makes it easier than ever to make your own cold brew at home. The Spouch, which is a portmanteau of “pouch” and “spout,” makes 48 ounces of cold brew that can be then poured straight from the cold-brewing vessel.

Price: $8

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Minna Sol Oven Mitts and Potholders

Minna

Following its release of tablecloths and reusable napkins, homewares brand Minna just released new oven mitts and placeholders, inspired by Sol Lewitt’s Wall Drawings. They’re all handmade by a group of artisans in Guatemala, and they make grabbing hot cookware look chic.

Price: $32+

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Fellow Drops

If you’re riding the internet coffee wave, consider Fellow’s text-to-order service. Load your credit card info and phone number in and receive intermittent texts with specialty-grade, freshly roasted coffee. The roaster roster is varied, so you’ll be able to try a number of coffees from around the U.S. It also feels a bit anti-tech to order coffee through text, as silly as that sounds, and that’s never a bad thing.

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Made In Fishing Knife Collection

Made In

Made In is getting into the fishing category. No, it’s not dropping a fishing rod, but it is expanding its knife collection with a fishing knives set. The knives were designed with Tom Colicchio, a James Beard Award-winning chef and Top Chef judge. Included in the set are two eight-inch blades: the Flexible Fillet Knife, which is straight-edged for cutting, deboning, skinning and filleting, and the Utility Knife, which is serrated to help lob off heads, prep bait or work with frozen fish.

Price: $89

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What a Tanto Blade Is, and Why You Need One

One look at a gear shop’s knife case will confirm a simple fact as cold and hard as steel: pocket knife blades come in all shapes and sizes. And yet, it’s easy to overlook the fact that even subtly different blade shapes have unique histories behind them and specific uses in front of them. One shape that’s occupying an increasing amount of space in those display cases (and online store pages) is the tanto.

What Is a Tanto Knife?

Tanto knives are easier to spot than nearly any other blade type. They’re characterized by an angular, almost noncontinuous edge made up of two cutting planes instead of the flat or curving belly of most pocket knives. A tanto knife’s edge draws a line out from the handle before making a hard change of direction and running up to the tip. The result? A striking appearance, for one, but also a broad and durable point.

That distinctive shape has contributed to the popularity of tanto knives as statement pieces for everyday carry, but their history goes back much further — all the way to 12th century feudal Japan, to be specific. Then and there, samurai carried two swords for combat, one long and one short. The latter was known as the tantō (which translates to “short sword” or “dagger”).

The tantō that samurai wielded were different from tanto knives you’ll see today though; they maintained a continuous edge that curved near the tip like some straight back pocket knives do. The Texas-based knife manufacturer Cold Steel gets credit for introducing the sharp angle into the blade belly, sometimes referred to as an American tanto, in the early 1980s. It’s this shape, not the sleeker Samurai version, that you’re most likely to encounter in a modern pocket knife.

Why You Should Get a Tanto Knife

Case Knives

Samurai used their tantō blades for close-quarters combat, and Cold Steel introduced its version of the tanto similarly in fixed-blade designs for tactical use. More recently though, the shape has gained popularity as an everyday carry object and you’re just as likely to see a small, 2.5-inch folding tanto as you are a tactical one.

This relatively new breed of smaller tantos has the same benefit as larger ones — primarily, that broad point. The shape is strong, which makes tanto knives good for puncturing and piercing. Samurai appreciated the trait for poking through armor, but you might find its use in getting into plastic clamshell packaging or adding an extra hole to a leather belt. And while some criticize the tanto shape as being clumsy in slicing tasks, a well-made knife can still get those jobs done — with style.

After all, the tanto trend is the result of the shape’s most readily apparent difference: its shape. That angular blade just looks cool, plain and simple. A pocket knife you plan to carry every day should be useful, sure, but it should also look good enough that you’ll actually want it in your pocket. There’s nothing wrong with having a snazzy object to show off to friends, either.

5 Tanto Knives to Consider

Courtesy

Civivi Brazen

amazon.com

$49.30

Civivi built the Brazen’s tanto blade with D2 steel, a mid-grade type that’s easy to maintain. That means you can put it through its paces, knowing you can always sharpen it up when it needs some extra edge.

Blade HQ

Cold Steel Recon Tanto

bladehq.com

$44.95

Cold Steel continues to honor its role in popularizing the tanto shape, and the Recon is one shining example. With a fixed-blade design and a seven-inch blade, this knife calls to mind its Japanese origins and is more of a showpiece than something you’ll actually use day-to-day.

Blade HQ

Benchmade Bailout

bladehq.com

$199.99

Despite its attempts to be stealthy, Benchmade’s Bailout is a looker thanks to its 3.38-inch tanto blade. Beneath those looks is CPM-M4 steel, a material so premium it falls into a limited group known as super steels.

Courtesy

SOG Kiku XR LTE

amazon.com

$229.99

On the Kiku, SOG modified the traditional tanto shape to create a broader blade with a wider corner angle and inversely curving edges that are better for slicing. The LTE model also boasts a lightweight carbon-fiber handle.

Case Knives

Case Kinzua

caseknives.com

$152.99

Case Knives has been around since the 1800s, so it says something that the brand included a tanto in its first modern EDC collection. The Kinzua has an anodized aluminum handle and a 3.4-inch blade made of high-grade S35VN steel.

July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Best and Biggest Gadgets of July 2021

Summer is here, and so are the gadgets! Here are the most notable releases from July that you should know about!

Nikon Z FC

Nikon

The Nikon Z FC is the company’s newest mirrorless camera and the most interesting thing about is that, well, it doesn’t look like a new camera. It fact its design to look similar to one of the company’s most beloved cameras, the FM2, which first came out in the early ’80s. But the Z FC definitely doesn’t shoot like a vintage film camera. It packs a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor and a Z-mount, so it fit any of the Z6’s and Z7’s full-frame lenses. It also packs the usual modern upgrades: electronic viewfinder, touchscreen display and USB-C charging.

Price: $960 (body only) — $1,200 (with 28mm lens)

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Klipsch Cinema 1200 and 800 Soundbars

Klipsch

Klipsch announced its first two Dolby Atmos soundbars. The Cinema 120o ($1,499) is a 5.1.4 surround sound system (which is able to decode Atmos in full 7.1.4) and the Cinema 800 ($799) is a more traditional soundbar-and-subwoofer combo. Other than the size and power of the soundbar and wireless woofer (and the fact that the Cinema 800 doesn’t with satellite speakers), the two systems are very similar. They both connect to your TV via an eARC-enabled HDMI 2.1 port (which supports the passthrough of up to 8K HDR and Dolby Vision). And they have built-in Bluetooth and support Alexa and Google Assistant.

Price: $799 — $1,499

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Lenovo Smart Clock 2

Lenovo

Lenovo’s second-generation Smart Clock sports the same 4-inch display as its predecessor and still comes integrated with Google Assistant. It does have a better speaker (that plays stereo) and, more significantly, a taller design that makes it compatible with a wireless charging pad. The wireless charging pad is sold separately, but you’ll likely want to get it because it has a built-in USB port (so you charge another device) and it has a neat nightlight feature. The Smart Clock 2 will start at $90 and it’s expected to be released this coming September.

Price: $90

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Dell UltraSharp Webcam

Dell

Dell announced a high-end webcam that can work with either Windows 10 PCs or Macs. The UltraSharp Webcam is a true 4K webcam (a rarity) that connects to your computer via USB-C. You can adjust the resolution and the frame rates of the captured video — it can capture 4K at 30fps or 24 fps, and 1080p video at up to 60fps — and it also has some neat AI tricks to keep you in frame and in focus. The only real downside is that, considering its steep price, it lacks a mic.

Price: $200

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LG QNED Mini LED TVs

Early this year LG has announced a new type of TV — called a QNED Mini LED TV — that’s a sort of a middle ground between its OLED TVs and NanoCell LCD TVs. In a nutshell, they use a similar NanoCell and quantum dot technologies as are in LG’s NanoCell LCD TVs, but they also have Mini LED backlighting so they deliver better contrast (even if it’s not quite at the same level as its OLED TVs). This week, LG officially announced the pricing and availability for these QNED Mini LED TVs. A 65-inch model will cost $1,999. A 75-inch model will cost $2,999. And a 86-inch model will cost $3,999. They will be available starting this July.

Price: $1,999 — $3,999

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Satechi Stand & Hub for Mac Mini with SSD Enclosure

LG Signature OLED R

Courtesy

LG first announced it rollable OLED TV — officially called the “OLED R” — back in early 2019. It blew people away because it was a beautiful OLED TV that rolled up into a console-looking box; it felt like a projector, but with a way better picture. Now, over two-and-a-half years later, LG has announced that people in the US are now finally able to buy it. The only downside is that it costs nearly 50x more than the the LG C1, the company’s popular-but-regular 65-inch OLED TV.

Price: $100,000

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Yamaha L700A

Courtesy

This week, Yamaha announced an interesting pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. The Yamaha L700A are set to cost around $600, making them more expensive than AirPods Max, but they specifically designed for immersive listening. And while some headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 and AirPods Max require a certain codec to play immersive audio, the Yamaha L700A promise to be able to upscale any stereo audio into surround sound, which is pretty cool.

The Yamaha L700A are set to launch in August.

Price: ~$600

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Valve Steam Deck

Steamdeck

Valve officially announced its long-rumored handheld console called the Steam Deck. It looks kind of like a Nintendo Switch — it has a similar 7-inch display — only without detachable controller. The console will have a powerful enough processor (quad-core Zen 2 CPU) and graphics card (AMD RDNA 2) to allow you to play your entire Steam library of games. You’ll also be able to buy a dock so that you can play your games on your TV. The Steam Deck will be available in a number of different storage configurations (ranging from 64GB to 512GB), with the base model starting at $400. It will be released this December, but for any chance of getting one then, you’ll need to get your name on a reserve list — now open — which does require you to put down a refundable $5 fee.

Price: $400+

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Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Stand for MagSafe Charger

Zagg

This isn’t Mophie’s first magnetic wireless charger designed for the iPhone 12. But it is the first one that fully supports MagSafe, meaning it can fast charge your iPhone 12 at its full 15-watts, which is twice as fast as non-MagSafe wireless chargers. On top of that, this 3-in-1 charger has dedicated spots to charge your AirPods Pro (or AirPods with a wireless charging case) and your Apple Watch. It’s only available in white.

Price: $90

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Sony HT-A9 Speaker System

Sony

The Sony HT-A9 is an innovative home theater system that does away with the soundbar completely. Instead, it’s comprised of a control box, which you plug into your TV, and four wireless speakers that you place around the room. The four speakers — which act dedicated right, left, rear-right and rear-left channels — talk to each other wirelessly and are able to deliver an immersive surround sound experience that supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The system will support Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect for easy music streaming, as well.

The system will be available this September or October.

Price: $1,800

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Sony HT-A7000 Soundbar

Sony

The Sony HT-A7000 is the company’s newest high-end Dolby Atmos soundbar. It’s 7-channel soundbar with two HDMI 2.1 with eARC connections, meaning it’ll work with the latest-and-greatest 4K and 8K televisions as well as the latest generation consoles (like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X). It can stream high-resolution audio, including
Sony’s immersive audio format, 360 Reality Audio; it also supports Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect. The Sony HT-A7000 soundbar costs $1,300 on its own. You add the company’s newest SA-RS3S satellite speakers for an extra $350, or $400 or $700 on own of its two new subwoofers.

Price: $1,300+

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One Plus Buds Pro

One Plus

One Plus announced its newest set of wireless earbuds alongside its upcoming Nord 2 smartphone. The Buds Pro look very similar to AirPods Pro (save for shiny chrome stem) and are packed with high-end features, including active noise-cancellation, support for Dolby Atmos audio, and a wireless charging case. They will be available to order on September 1.

Price: $150

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Satchei GaN Chargers

Satechi

Satechi released its next generation of wall chargers with Gallium Nitride (GaN), a material that is significantly more energy-efficient and space-efficient than traditional silicon. Basically, these GaN chargers are small, light and really powerful. There are three new chargers, each of which have three USB-C ports. There are 66-watt ($55) and 108-watt ($75) models both have three USB-C ports, while the 100-watt ($70) charger has a single USB-C port. All chargers are powerful enough to charge a laptop.

Price: $55 — $75

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Anker PowerExpand 9-in-1 USB-C PD Dock

Anker

Anker’s newest dock supports 60-watts of passthrough charging via USB-C. It can also add a bunch of new ports to your workstation, including USB-A (3x), USB-C (1x), a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Gigabit Ethernet connection. It also has an HDMI port that supports 4K and a DisplayPort port, so it can be used to connect up to two external monitors (although, it can only be used with one external monitor when connected to a M1 Mac). It’s available for purchase now.

Price: $149

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Master & Dynamic MW08 Sport

Master & Dynamic

Courtesy

TCL’s 2021 6-Series is the company’s first line of 8K TVs. It was announced back at CES 2021, but it’s just been made available for purchase. The TVs utilize mini-LED backlighting technology, which helps it almost as good contrast and black levels as popular 4K OLED TVs. Admittedly, it’s still early days when it comes to 8K TV, as you’d really only want one if you have one of the latest-gen consoles (but even then very few games are optimized to run 8K). There are two models to choose from, a 65-inch model for $2,199 and a 75-inch model for $2,999, which are now two of the most affordable new 8K TVs you can buy.

Price: $2,199 — $2,999

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Courtesy

Also known as the maker of Swiss Army pocket knives, Victorinox watches are appropriately tough and outdoor-ready. New versions of the brand’s automatic pilot watches include this very modern-feeling all-black version that incorporates a slide rule bezel and plenty of luminescent paint on the dial for low-light visibility. These Airboss Mechanical watches were also announced alongside new versions of the FieldForce Classic GMT quartz watches ($425+).

Price: $1,195

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July 30, 2021 / Comments Off

488

The 13 Types of Whiskey You Should Know

For good and for bad, there is more whiskey on shelves today than there has been in the history of the spirit. More competition between producers makes better products, no doubt, and the quality of whiskey on shelves is in all likelihood also at an all-time high, but the wealth of options breeds confusion, too. How is corn whiskey different from bourbon whiskey? Is light whiskey for people on a diet? Why does Tennessee insist its whiskey isn’t bourbon? We’ve got your answers. Here are all the types of whiskey you should know about, and what they are.

Whiskey Styles

Straight Whiskey

The “straight” prefix on a whiskey like bourbon or rye indicates that, legally, the whiskey inside those bottles has to have been aged in charred new oak containers for at least two years. In line with any whiskey designated as a bourbon, it is illegal for straight whiskeys to include added coloring.

Bourbon Whiskey

Bourbon is whiskey made from a mash of at least 51 percent corn. Contrary to popular belief, bourbon does not have to be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon (though Kentucky is often appended on the name of bourbon made there for marketing purposes). Bourbon also must not exceed 80 percent ABV (160 proof) in the mash, and cannot enter maturation barrels — all of which must be charred new oak — above 62.5 percent ABV (125 proof). Bourbon is the largest American whiskey category, and is known for appeasing a wide range of tastes and preferences. There is more variance and choice within bourbon than any other whiskey category.

Knob Creek’s 12-year-old Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The mash base of the whiskey is comprised of more than 50 percent corn, so it’s bourbon, and it’s aged longer than two years so it qualifies as a straight bourbon as well. Small Batch, however, is not a legal term or type of whiskey.
Courtesy

Rye Whiskey

Rye has the same production proofing rules bourbon has — mashed below 80 percent ABV (160 proof) and aged below 62.5 percent ABV (125 proof). The difference is in the balance of grains used in the mash with, as you might guess, rye making a majority of at least 51 percent. While no rules exist with exceptions, most rye whiskey is relatively affordable, and the spirit is known to reach peak maturity — when the whiskey is at its best — sooner than other whiskeys. Expect more pepper and spice-forward whiskeys from the rye category.

Read more: The Best Bottles of Rye You Can Buy

Wheat Whiskey

Like bourbon, rye and most American whiskeys, wheat whiskey is subject to the same production proof thresholds and must matured in charred new oak barrels. Wheat whiskey is created from a mash of at least 51 percent wheat, too, and it far less popular than rye or bourbon. For whiskey purposes, wheat is often considered the opposite of rye: where rye gives strength and spice, wheat brings soft sweetness and floral notes. The most popular wheat whiskey is probably Heaven Hill Distillery’s Bernheim Straight Wheat Whiskey.

Malt Whiskey

Set to the same standards as wheat, rye and bourbon, but built off a minimum 51 percent malted barley mash. For most whiskey drinkers, malt whiskey is first and foremost scotch whisky, because most scotch is malt whiskey of some kind. But there’s plenty of American malt whiskey as well, most of which is coming from craft distilleries like Westward, Stranahan’s and Copperworks experimenting with new mashbills.

Single Malt Whiskey

Though not defined so strictly for American labeling purposes, single malt whisky is very well defined in its native Scotland. All malted barley and entirely made at a single distillery, single malt whisky (without the “e,” this time) is Scotland’s most famous export. American whiskey makers are not bound to follow Scotland’s single malt production restrictions (one could make a single malt American whiskey with malted barley and rye, for example), but many abide by them regardless.

Made purely in a pot still from malted barley, single malt whisky must be made at a single distillery and aged in barrels under a certain size for three years minimum.
Courtesy

Corn Whiskey

A mostly forgotten category dominated by the very cheap Mellow Corn and its corn-obsessed cult following. Corn whiskey must be made of a mash of at least 80 percent corn and is subject to the usual production proof restrictions. Interestingly, according to the TTB, corn whiskey cannot be subjected to any manner of extra treatment to charred wood beyond the standard aging process. Corn whiskey is notably sweet, and very few distilleries make it.

Light Whiskey

It’s not diet whiskey. Born in 1968, the light whiskey designation is rare nowadays, but some craft distillers (notably High West) have released bottles of the stuff. Light whiskey exists somewhere between standard whiskey and neutral grain spirit (it’s lighter than whiskey, but darker than grain spirit, in color). Production proof must be greater than 80 percent ABV (but less than 95 percent), and it has less strict maturation requirements. In modern times, most “light whiskey” is used as a part and parcel to blended whiskey, most commonly Canadian blended whisky.

Whiskey Regions

Tennessee

Tennessee whiskey is not a legally defined style of whiskey, but most location-based whiskey styles aren’t either. Tennessee whiskey makers like George Dickel and Jack Daniel’s pride themselves on not being bourbon makers, but for all intents and purposes this is bourbon with an additional step added. That step, called the Lincoln County Process, sees the final distillate run through charcoal (chips or a proper filter) before entering barrels for maturation. It’s said that this process smooths the rough edges of the distillate.

Tennessee whiskey (it can be spelled with or without the “e”) is bourbon for legal purposes. Its boosters claim the Lincoln County Process — an extra charcoal filtration before maturation — make it a different type of whiskey.
Courtesy

Irish Whiskey

Irish whiskey is famously light and easy-drinking because of the region’s focus on malt-based whiskey and virtually no interest in peat. The law of the land in Ireland states Irish whiskey must have malt in the mash. Other grains may be added, but malt is a required. It must also be produced in Ireland or Northern Ireland, and it must be bottled above 40 percent ABV. Unlike American whiskeys, Irish whiskey makers may use caramel coloring to deepen the color of the whiskey in the bottle.

Japanese Whisky

Some Japanese whisky makers are making strides to further define the category, but for now it’s a little complicated. The gist is many whiskies marketing themselves as Japanese are made, at least in part, outside of Japan. This is done to keep up with demand and lower costs, but the cost is consumer confusion.

As far as distilling methods and ingredients are concerned, legitimate Japanese whisky shares a great deal with scotch whisky, but because the rules are more touch-and-go in Japan, there’s room for more creativity. Japan’s larger distillers may blend dozens of malt and grain whiskies aged in everything from extremely rare mizunara oak casks to sherry butts to ex-bourbon casks. Therein lies the trade-off: when made with integrity and purpose Japanese whisky is exceptional, but a lack of rules creates opportunity for more unscrupulous producers as well.

Read More: The Best Bottles of Japanese Whisky You Can Buy

Canadian Whisky

Canadian whisky has a little more wiggle room with some classic spirit-making no-nos than other designations. Producers can use coloring and added flavoring (up to 9.09% of the bottled spirit) and any mix of cereal grains they please. Because most Canadian whisky is blended, most finished whiskies contain some combination of rye, corn, wheat and malt whiskeys. Naturally, it also must be produced in Canada. Canadian whisky is usually bottled at lower proof points than its American whiskey contemporaries which, combined with a preference for malt bases, creates a nice and light drinking experience.

Scotch Whisky

It must be made in Scotland, first of all. Other rules that define scotch whisky include a minimum 40 percent ABV, some production proof requirements and malted barley in the base mash. Scotch producers may use other cereal grains, but malted barley must be present. They’re also permitted to use coloring if they so choose. Though the peaty single malt scotch is what comes to mind for most whiskey drinkers, peat and single malt are merely popular iterations of the spirit rather than rules of production. Depending on the producing region — Speyside, Islay, Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown — the production method and taste may vary widely. In other words, there is no “best” scotch or a singular scotchy flavor profile, but there are lots of great options.

Read More: The Best Bottles of Scotch You Can Buy

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July 30, 2021 / Comments Off on The 13 Types of Whiskey You Should Know
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Today’s Best Deals: 29% off a Fellow Electric Kettle, Everlane’s Summer Sale & More

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

Welcome to Deals of Note, where Gear Patrol captures all the best deals of the day. You can also follow all our deal posts in the Deals section.

Jul 29, 2021

July 29, 2021 / Comments Off on Today’s Best Deals: 29% off a Fellow Electric Kettle, Everlane’s Summer Sale & More
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